India’s first hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck unveiled at India Energy Week, find out what’s special

Reliance Industries Limited and Ashok Leyland have unveiled India’s first Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2-ICE) heavy duty truck. India’s first hydrogen-powered truck was flagged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the India Energy Week in Bengaluru. Here we tell you in detail about the heavy truck that is powered by a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE).

Hinduja Group’s flagship Ashok Leyland and India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer Reliance Industries have been working on the H2-ICE technology over the past year. Testing of the heavy truck will take place from August 2022. The Ashok Leyland H2-ICE truck range is powered by hydrogen, which is similar to the old architecture of a typical diesel combustion engine. The H2-ICE heavy trucks with load capacities from 19 to 35 tons typically run on low-cost clean energy, according to the official statement.

Dr. N. Saravanan, Ashok Leyland’s President and CTO, said: “By working with Reliance Industries Limited, we have once again demonstrated our technology leadership and commitment to our mission of clean mobility.” Apart from this, he said that “Our aim is to make the second fuel segment in India self-sufficient and join the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign.”

H2-ICE technology looks better for clean mobility. However, the cost is high due to the limited availability of hydrogen fuel. The Central Government is working on promotional activities such as the National Hydrogen Energy Roadmap and the National Hydrogen Energy Mission. Last month, Ashok Leyland showed off its range of futuristic vehicles with electric and hydrogen options at Auto Expo 2023, where it was well received by the audience.